What Kind of Permits Do I Need For My Home Remodel?

Permitting is more than a nuisance for home remodeling contractors and homeowners. Permits assure property owners and insurance companies that the work is being performed according to specific codes that have been written to prevent shoddy workmanship, enhance the safety of residents, and as a method to monitor construction and verify that it meets the standards of the state and local community. 

Who Pulls the Permits?

Property owners may obtain some types of permits, but some types of work must be signed-off by licensed contractors in their respective fields. In order to avoid pulling the correct permits, or failing to secure all of the permits required by the job, the best course of action is to leave obtaining permits to the experienced home contractors who will be performing the work.

Construction Permits

From the foundation to the roof peak, every aspect of home additions and renovations is carefully monitored to protect the property owner as well as adjacent properties from being damaged in the event of damages, including accidents, natural disasters, and more. Any work performed without a permit may be required to be removed and rebuilt after the appropriate permits have been secured, and that can easily become very expensive.

Fire Safety

Fire safety guidelines are enforced through permits and regular inspections at every stage of the job. From the fastener patterns used on drywall to specialized caulking that seals walls against fumes and smoke, fire safety permits are meant to protect the property, the property owner, and reduce the damages in the event of a catastrophe.

Electrical Permits

Electricity is dangerous and volatile. Electrical permits can be obtained by the property owner for some types of work, but a licensed electrician may be required to inspect and approve the work before it will be passed by an electrical inspector. Electrical permits are not required in situations where no electrical services are being added or modified.

Plumbing Permits

The property owner is able to obtain plumbing permits in some locations, but this differs from one municipality to another. Plumbing work is inspected at each stage of construction, including underground plumbing, water lines, and sewer lines. In a home remodel, plumbing permits are only required when the job involves moving or installing plumbing in the area being renovated.

Leading remodeling contractors typically have a general contractor's license that allows them to pull any and all permits needed for the work they perform. The home remodeling company may hire subcontractors to perform different stages of the work, such as plumbers or electricians, or they may perform all aspects of the job themselves.

5 Popular Commercial Plumbing Services That Improve Your Bottom Line

All businesses can benefit from commercial plumbing services. Although it may not seem apparent at first, plumbing issues can cost your company sales, employees, and costly mistakes. Plumbing definitely affects your company's profitability in multiple ways, as underscored by these 5 examples of how plumbing affects more than the water at your location.

1. Leak Repair

Repairing leaks is one of the most common business plumbing services. Water leaks can occur in many places throughout a commercial property. Pipes get broken, lines get accidentally damaged, faucets and hose bib valves go bad, and more. Leaks can be costly in themselves, but they also cause serious workplace hazards that range from slip-and-falls to respiratory illness related to mold and mildew.

2. Appliance Replacement

In some types of business, the appliances take a lot of abuse. Water heaters are overworked, sinks get used roughly, hose bibs are pulled away from walls, and the list goes on. Poorly functioning restrooms have a negative impact on employee morale, may potentially contribute to health risks, and leave an unfavorable impression on clients and investors. 

3. Sensory Interference

Unpleasant odors, constant drips, and pipes banging around in the walls can be distracting for employees. This results in lost productivity, demands non-work-related tasking, and may create inaccuracies in sensitive activities. We have all experienced the distraction of a dripping sink at one point or another, but dealing with it on a daily basis can have negative influences on employee morale and performance.

4. Business Expansion

Today's commercial building codes require sufficient restroom resources for employees, emergency showers and eyewash stations, and plumbing for fixed equipment operations and maintenance. Since plumbing expansions involve municipally permitted work, they can only be performed by licensed plumbing contractors.

5. Plumbing Maintenance

In many cases, establishing a regular plumbing maintenance program improves productivity and reduces absenteeism, among other benefits. Typically, a plumbing maintenance program involves regular inspections of plumbing pipes, appliances, and facility upkeep such as replacing worn or broken fixtures and valves. This identifies problems before they can create major incidents, and some maintenance plans save money by including certain repairs in the maintenance program.

From advertising to warehousing, plumbing is necessary for any type of commercial enterprise. Independent research has shown that businesses with insufficient plumbing resources or malfunctioning equipment become vulnerable to everything from absenteeism to work-related illnesses. There are a lot of reasons for your company to keep on top of its plumbing systems, but the best reason is that plumbing affects your bottom line.

How Long Does it Take For Auto Glass Replacement?

Whether your car is fresh off the dealer lot or you've owned it for a number of years, the day may come when you need to have auto glass replacement. Most insurance policies will cover windshield replacement free of charge and without increasing your premiums because windshields contribute to the structural integrity and overall safety of your vehicle.

Windshield Replacement

A typical windshield replacement will only take a short time when the job is performed by an experienced auto glass replacement specialist. Whether you bring our car into the glass shop or have it replaced at your location, the job can usually be completed in less than an hour-- and it may take as little as 20 minutes or so.

Side Glass Replacement

Replacing a side window may seem like a more complicated process, but experienced installers can still get the job done quickly. Using specialized tools and materials, side windows can be replaced in about an hour, from removing the interior side panels to presenting you with the necessary papers. If your car has hard-to-find window glass, let the glass company know the make and model when you set up your appointment.

Glass Repair Services

Glass repair is an option for types of cracks. Glass repair involves carefully cleaning the area around the chip or crack, then filling the damaged area with a specially formulated bonding agent that dries to form a complete seal. Keep in mind that glass repair may be slightly visible after it has been repaired, and replacement is the generally recommended solution. 

Glass Tinting Services

In addition to replacing broken auto glass, your glass technicians can also apply window tint if you wish. Since the amount of tinting allowed by law varies from one state to another, using a local glass service guarantees conforming to regulations. Because reducing glare can make driving safer, window tinting won't increase your premiums.

Before You Drive Wait Times

Once your auto glass has been replaced, it is a good idea to allow the adhesives to dry before driving the vehicle. In most cases, auto glass adhesives will be fully dried in less than an hour, and some types may be ready to use in as little as 20 minutes. In the end, most windshield replacements are ready for the open road in about an hour, including the wait time while adhesives are curing.

Since auto glass replacement can be done at your home or even while you are at work, you won't have to worry about missing important visitors, appointments, or deadlines. You don't even have to set aside time during the replacement process-- simply sign the work release when the job is done.